Q: I am a senior who has always been interested in learning. I enjoyed going to school and college and miss mixing with those with the same curiosity for learning. Do you know of any local program that would satisfy this need I continue to have?
A: I just recently spent an afternoon talking with two people about a program that has been developed for people who continue to have an interest in learning.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at CSU Channel Islands, better known as “OLLI,” serves those who believe that “curiosity never retires.”
The OLLI program at CSU Channel Islands was started over 10 years ago. It has and continues to offer an adventure in academia to adults over 50 with courses in lecture and discussion format — no grades, no tests and no homework. CSU Channel Islands joins 118 other colleges and universities across the nation in offering this program.
OLLI provides enrollees the opportunity to take a particular class because they are interested in that subject and not because they need to have it to complete a program requirement.
Class subjects are very varied and include something for everyone. The class catalog included art history, anthropology, business, economics and marketing, film and theater arts, history, literature, music appreciation, science, astronomy and biology, political science and psychology, just to name a few.
Classes are held at several locations through out the county: CSU Channel Islands in Camarillo; CSUCI Extended University Satellite Campus, 501 Marin St. in Thousand Oaks; Little House in Ojai at 111 W. Santa Ana St.; Ventura Adult Continuing Education, 5200 Valentine Road, Ventura; Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road in Ventura; and at Leisure Village in Camarillo.
OLLI also offers educational tours, a book club and academic field trips. Previous trips and tours included such spots as the Commemorative Air Force Museum in Camarillo, “The Camp David of the West” in Palm Springs, Vandenberg Air Force Base, the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at a LA Museum and the LA Opera showing of Barber of Seville.
Last Year over six hundred and fifty members participated in the program at various sites throughout Ventura County. I can see three great reasons to join — intellectual stimulation, social interaction with interesting people and entertainment as the instructors can make each and every class of great interest.
Fall registration for classes is now in progress. The fall term begins Sept. 8 and continues through Nov. 2. Classes range from four-week sessions to eight-week sessions, and the prices are very reasonable.
For more information about the program or to register for a class call 437-2748 or Google OLLI CI.
HAPPENINGS:
Aug. 12: Lawyers at the Library Series “Top 8 Medi-Cal Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make.” 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Ventura County Law Library, 800 S. Victoria Ave. in Ventura. The library is in the Ventura County Government Center facing Parking Lot A. For reservations and information call 642-8982.
Aug. 20: Senior Issues Series seminar “Will You Pass Your Next Driving Test?” 1:30-3 p.m. at Moorpark Active Adult Center, 700 Moorpark Ave. in Moorpark. For reservations call 517-6261.
Aug. 23: The British Beat Band will play all the favorites of the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Herman’s Hermits and the Animals. 2 p.m. at Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks. Tickets are $5 and available at Goebel Center
